I love this!
Thursday, October 13, 2011
Wednesday, August 3, 2011
Would you like your receipt?
I came across an article from EWG.org that reminded me of the ever pervasive chemicals around us. Specifically, it's Bisphenol A or BPA, the stuff found to leach out of Nalgene water bottles and canned food containers. Bisphenol A or BPA can act like estrogen if absorbed into the body and can cause a host of issues from infertility to cancer. Now it's shown up in receipts of all places.
Evidently thermal receipt paper is often manufactured with BPA. It does transfer to your skin from handling a receipt and may be quickly absorbed so that it can't be washed off. Most at risk individuals are those who work in retail and handle receipts hundreds of times per day.
An EWG study of receipts from US retail companies found 40% of them had high BPA levels. Some of these companies included McDonald's, CVS, KFC, Whole Foods, Walmart, Safeway, and the US Postal Service. Even the US House of Representatives cafeteria had high levels. Efforts are already underway to further assess this issue and the impact on individuals, as well as pressures to encourage companies to use BPA free paper. Like many issues of toxicity and the environment, it may take years or decades for policy to catch up with good science and common sense. In the mean time, stay aware and maybe just skip getting your receipt.
See EWG article here:
Thursday, July 14, 2011
Slow Down
I found this article interesting and a good reminder that it's not about doing more to be healthy. Maybe we need to do less and reconnect with ourselves.
Tuesday, June 21, 2011
Just Say "No"
I've long thought it odd that our society vilifies "illegal" drug use while at the same time prescription drug use is growing rapidly. What's more, when you look at the most popular prescription medications, you realize that they are not curing anything and often doing more harm than good.
Statistics indicate that at least half of American adults are taking a prescription drug regularly. That number jumps to 90% for older adults. Even more disturbing is that almost 40% of adults over 60 are taking five or more prescription drugs, many who also are taking over-the-counter medications as well. There is a term for that; "Polypharmacy."
What are some of the most popular legal drugs? More than ten percent of younger adults are taking antidepressants. In teenagers, more than 6% are taking central nervous system stimulants (to treat ADD). 45% of adults 60 and above are taking a statin to lower cholesterol. Blood pressure medications and pain relievers round out the top for adults. Younger kids are getting asthma medications and antibiotics.
If these drug treatments were working, increasing their use should mean increasing the "wellness" of the population. No surprise this is not the case. We are getting sicker. Adverse events from prescribed medications are now a leading cause of hospital and doctor visits. Prescribed medications are now one of the top ten leading causes of death! In 2007 drug induced deaths ranked fourth. In 2009 there were 63,846 deaths from prescription medications.
When a drug is prescribed by a doctor, there is a false sense of safety. Many pain drugs are as addictive and harmful as heroin or cocaine, yet because it's a pill from the pharmacist, it seems so acceptable. The risks to the cardiovascular system, liver and GI tract from just acetaminophen, ibuprofen, or other NSAID are real. There is no free lunch.
The use of psychiatric medications for mood disorders and sleep are highly disruptive to the delicate natural balance of neurotransmitters and mental function. The adverse effects can be experienced throughout the body and take decades to resolve. Sadly, there is little done to actually assess the real causes of these health issues.
The wide spread overuse of antibiotics has resulted in super infections and is largely to blame for the rise in allergy and autoimmune diseases. Another false sense of security has been placed upon the sacred "vaccines," which are linked with immune and neurological disorders.
The abuse is found across all age groups. Doctors are prescribing for newborns and those near the end of life with abandon. No longer can we come into the world untouched by chemicals, nor die without polypharmacy. Could our healthcare crisis be related to all this expensive unnecessary interventions into the natural order of our lives?
Thankfully there is another way. You don't have to rely on pharmaceutical drugs as your first and last resort. It's all about where you place your faith. Is there a place for drugs? Yes, of course. You should give any prescription some critical thought as to its necessity.
Nearly all of the examples I've given above have a natural alternative. You (and hopefully your doctor) must first seek the true causes of your health problem and address that. Manage your symptoms using the least toxic means first. Unshackle your body to heal as it was designed. That is the heart of naturopathic medicine.
Thursday, June 16, 2011
Corn-O-Rama
I recently watched the documentary, "King Corn." This is a film profiling an unfortunate turn in America, "we are being super-sized by corn." Bad government farm policy, coupled with the growth of big agri-business has led to a food situation that is so out of balance from the created natural order of things, it's no wonder our population is becoming so ill.
Thankfully there are some who are realizing what's going on. You can now find a "local movement" in many communities where individuals are seeking and finding local farmers and foods. Inevitably there is a mental and economic hurdle to overcome: nutritious and ethical (not ethnic) food may cost more. This is not always the case; especially if you factor in the lifetime cost of medical bills and how productive and fulfilling your life will or won't be.
The elephant in the room has been "what you eat." Lots of prepared foods are carefully crafted and marketed to make you eat more. Lots of these foods really aren't food at all. Sugar or chemically sweetened beverages are the worst offenders. But we all know that, right? We just choose to ignore it. The sad part here is that our tax dollars are going to subsidize the most unhealthy junk food, namely high fructose corn syrup and the legion of foods with it in it, as well as all the cheap meat and poultry; yes it's all "corn fed."
So we are simply following the evolution of the mono-cropped monocot that is corn today. And I haven't even brought up all the non-ecofriendly, toxic farming practices.
Take the "just so 'NO' challenge." Return to the American virtue of self-sufficiency and start learning to cook with real foods. Kick your grain and sugar addiction. The best way I know how is to educate yourself, plan ahead, build your-esteem and confidence, complete the 21 Day Purification. Do what ever works for you, but please stop feeding your children so much sugar! And Gummy vitamins!
Contact your government representatives and demand they stop subsidizing death and disease!
Day 15 support
Welcome to Day 15 of the Purification Program.
Unless you are living in a biosphere (which we are pretty confident you aren't!), you are not isolated from those around you. Friends, family and co-workers all play an important role in making any lifestyle change.
Our third suggestion for you before you come off the program is to let those around you know that the changes you have made over the last few weeks are not temporary. Let them know that this isn't just a diet that as soon as you complete it you are going to resume your old eating habits.
One purification program graduate noted that before the program he was drinking several Cokes a day. Coke was his vice. After he completed the program, naturally, his wife brought a Coke up to him at work one day, as she always had. He was strong and resisted, but this highlights the need to make sure that you identify the bad habits that you are not going to resume and share that with those around you, especially those who care about you. This will help them to avoid introducing unnecessary temptations as well as avoid the embarrassment of having to turn down some food or drink they have given you or picked up at the local fast food joint.
Remember, "He who fails to plan, plans to fail."
How Should I Feel Today?
You should continue to feel wonderful today. As always, if you have questions about something that is concerning you, please contact Dr. Graves or contact our resident purification specialist Allison at support@purificationsupport.
Weight Loss
Remember, don't wait to get hungry. Waiting increases cravings, lowers your blood sugar level and can lead to fatigue. Make sure you are eating small meals throughout the day. If you find you are getting hungry between meals, consider doing a shake halfway between those meals and also make sure you are getting at least 8 glasses of water each day.
Reminders
Make sure you are having 1-3 bowel movements each day during the program. If not, make sure that you are drinking enough water. Remember, you should be drinking at least 8 glasses of water a day.
Recipe of the Day
Stir Fried Chicken
Ingredients:
- | 2 full boneless, skinless chicken breast, sliced into strips |
- | 1 tablespoons grated fresh ginger |
- | 2 garlic cloves, minced |
- | 3 teaspoons sesame oil to coat the pan |
- | 1 medium onion, sliced or diced |
- | 2-3 cups any combination of chopped veggies – bok choy, celery, slightly defrosted pkg. organic broccoli florets or fresh, Napa cabbage, etc. |
- | 1 cup sliced mushrooms – preferably shiitake |
- | 1 red bell pepper, cut into strips |
- | 2 cups cooked short grain brown rice (optional) |
Directions:
1. | Heat oil in wok over high heat. |
2. | Once heated, add garlic, ginger and chicken (if using). |
3. | Stir constantly until lightly brown or chicken cooked through. |
4. | Add all vegetables and cook for 3-4 minutes – maintain crispness. |
What if I have Questions?
If you have questions about how you are feeling please remember that Dr. Graves is available throughout this program and can be contacted by phone at (509) 413-1530.
Supplement Regimen for Day 15
Core Products (Required)
SP Complete | 2 scoops (tablespoons) twice per day minimum up to 5 shakes per day |
SP Green Food | 5 capsules 2 times per day |
Fiber | Whole Food Fiber (powder): 1 scoop (tablespoon) 3 times per day in your shakes OR Gastro-Fiber: 3 capsules 3 times per day |
Suggested Supplements (Optional)*
Protein: | Whey Pro Complete – 2 scoops (tablespoons) twice daily |
Cravings: | Gymnema – 1 tablet 3 times per day or 2 tablets twice per day |
Omega-3: | Tuna Omega-3 Oil – 2 perles 2 times per day |
* Dr. Graves will work with you to identify which products best meet your needs.
Day 14 support
Welcome to Day 14 of the Purification Program.
Congratulations! Two weeks down, one to go!
After having a meal, have you ever experienced symptoms such as fatigue, headaches, congestion, pounding heart and so on. These could all be indications of potential food allergies, along with other common symptoms including skin irritations such as rashes, hives, and eczema or gastrointestinal symptoms such as nausea, diarrhea and vomiting.
As your program draws to a conclusion, you are going to be reintroducing foods into your diet that you have not consumed in at least 3 weeks. This reintroduction, if performed properly, is the perfect time to identify food allergies you may have.
This leads us to our second recommendation for you (remember the first was making an appointment with your doctor in the next week). We recommended that you plan to SLOWLY reintroduce items into your diet. This is key, not just for identifying allergies, but also just to allow your body time to figure out how to process these foods properly. After 3 weeks of healthy eating and training your body to release toxins you do not want to shock your system with all kinds of 'bad' food and drink.
One purification program graduate went to a gathering the day after she completed the detox. Over the course of a few hours, she had several glasses of wine. At the end of the night she wondered exactly how much she had consumed, so after doing the math (3 people, 3 bottles) she realized that she had the equivalent of a whole bottle to herself. Although she is not allergic to red wine, within hours of drinking she developed a rash on both arms and her upper torso that lasted 2 days. Her body was not able to cope with that much alcohol after 3 weeks of healthy eating and zero alcohol.
We will detail a reintroduction plan in more detail over the coming week.
How Should I Feel Today?
You should be feeling excellent, as detailed yesterday. At this point (with 7 days to go) you should be starting to feel like your body can handle just about anything you throw at it. Well, as detailed in the introduction above, you want to be careful. Don't get ahead of yourself. Stay focused and no cheating!
Weight Loss
Are you still avoiding those cravings? Getting your cravings under control while on the program will help you to carry on limiting those carb-heavy foods after Day 21. If you are not using Gymnema, seriously consider adding it to your protocol (as always, after discussing with your health care professional). If you don't get your cravings under control now, you are likely to slip back into your old eating habits on Day 22.
Reminders
Don't forget, ideally 50% or more of the vegetables you are consuming each day should be raw or lightly steamed.
Recipe of the Day
Stir-Fried Tomatoes and Eggplant
Ingredients:
- | Stir-Fried Tomatoes and Eggplant |
- | 1 tablespoon Organic Extra Virgin Olive Oil |
- | 1 medium sized eggplant, peeled and diced |
- | 1 medium onion, diced |
- | 1 celery stalk thinly sliced |
- | 1 28 oz. can of Organic diced tomatoes with juice |
- | 2 tablespoons Organic Red wine or Balsamic vinegar |
- | 2 finely sliced basil leaves or ¼ tsp. dried basil |
- | 2 teaspoons dried oregano |
- | Salt and pepper to taste. |
Directions:
1. | In a wok, heat the olive oil and stir fry the eggplant, celery and onion for 8-10 minutes. |
2. | Add remaining ingredients, cover and simmer for 20-25 minutes while stirring occasionally. |
3. | Serve immediately. |
What if I have Questions?
If you have questions about how you are feeling please remember that Dr. Graves is available throughout this program and can be contacted by phone at (509) 413-1530.
Supplement Regimen for Day 14
Core Products (Required)
SP Complete | 2 scoops (tablespoons) twice per day minimum up to 5 shakes per day |
SP Green Food | 5 capsules 2 times per day |
Fiber | Whole Food Fiber (powder): 1 scoop (tablespoon) 3 times per day in your shakes OR Gastro-Fiber: 3 capsules 3 times per day |
Suggested Supplements (Optional)*
Protein: | Whey Pro Complete – 2 scoops (tablespoons) twice daily |
Cravings: | Gymnema – 1 tablet 3 times per day or 2 tablets twice per day |
Omega-3: | Tuna Omega-3 Oil – 2 perles 2 times per day |
* Dr. Graves will work with you to identify which products best meet your needs.
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